fire marshal
Americannoun
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an official heading a bureau for the prevention or investigation of fires.
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a person who has charge of the fire-prevention equipment and personnel of an industrial plant.
noun
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a public official responsible for investigating the causes of fires, enforcing fire prevention laws, etc
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the head of a fire prevention organization
Etymology
Origin of fire marshal
First recorded in 1860–65
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Steve Buscemi appeared in a pre-recorded comedic bit, and Eminem surfaced in a stylized role as a fire marshal figure in a sketch that helped drive the episode’s surreal tone.
From Salon • May 23, 2026
One fire marshal is in a critical condition and one firefighter is in a serious condition as of Friday evening, Mamdani.
From BBC • May 23, 2026
Attendees had to be turned away from one breakfast meeting with top military brass because of legal limits enforced by a fire marshal.
From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026
The fire marshal regulates oil and gas pipelines across the state, and must approve the pipelines’ full restart, which is key to the company’s commercial success.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2025
He looked at the fire marshal and said, “You have no idea how hard my kids worked on these.”
From "Because of Mr. Terupt" by Rob Buyea
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
